Dr Pande was recognised for his contribution to the community as a GP and medical educator while Professor Hartley, who took to the stage in his hometown, was awarded his fellowship in recognition of his contribution to academia. Arthur received his award in recognition of his contribution to video games design.

After Dr Pande gained his medical qualifications in his homeland of India before he moved to England in 1971 to work in cardio-thoracic surgery. Four years later he entered general practice and spent the next 30 years in Liverpool. During this period, he held a number of prominent positions on professional medical bodies, including becoming the General Medical Council’s first Asian or black ethnic minority treasurer.

His knowledge has led him to become a vital member of UCLan’s Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery working group while Dr Pande’s charity and community work was rewarded in 1989 when he received an MBE from Her Majesty the Queen.

After studying English in Manchester Professor Hartley decided to undertake his Masters and PhD in America. It was here the Prestonian landed his first Shakespearean job at the University of West Georgia. During this time he became resident dramaturg, which deals with the research and development of plays. The role led him to write The Shakespearean Dramaturg, which was the first book of its kind.

He then moved to the University of North Carolina and produced numerous articles on Shakespeare. In 2006 his debut thriller, The Mask of Atreus, was published which was the first of four bestselling thrillers. The professor has also published fantasy novels for children and adults in addition to his collaboration in the adaption of Shakespeare’s Macbeth and Hamlet into audio novels.

It was during his time at boarding school that Arthur developed a love of early video games on platforms like the Spectrum, Amiga and Nintendo. After a brief period studying engineering at university he landed a job as a game tester. After two years he moved to Traveller’s Tales, now TT Games, where he has been for 18 years.

During this time he has progressed from testing games, to designing them, and from there to creating a design team of 150 people who make globally marketed games, including Lego Marvel. Since 2006, Arthur has regularly visited UCLan, speaking with undergraduates and giving inspirational presentations about the work he does at TT.